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England give update on seriousness of the latest Tuilagi injury

(Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)

England assistant coach Richard Cockerill has delivered an update on the fresh hamstring problem that ruled Manu Tuilagi out of contention to play against Wales in this Saturday’s Guinness Six Nations game versus Wales at Twickenham. The powerhouse midfielder was named by Eddie Jones as his starter at No12 when the team was confirmed at 11:30am on Thursday.

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However, his name was scratched from the teamsheet at 7:45pm that evening due to an injury sustained at training and his sudden sidelining resulted in the recall to the squad of Joe Marchant, the No13 in the round two game versus Italy who was cut from the England squad on Tuesday and was poised to instead play for Harlequins in a Friday night Gallagher Premiership match.

Marchant is now back with the England squad at their Pennyhill base ahead of the game against the Welsh but a decision still has to be taken on who exactly will fill the vacancy in a midfield where Henry Slade is set to switch into the No12 Tuiulagi role to allow either Marchant or Elliot Daly to start alongside him at No13. 

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“Obviously, we have got options that can play 13,” said forwards coach Cockerill following the completion of the captain’s run training session on Friday morning. “Joe has played there a fair bit and obviously there are other options there with Elliot Daly. That will get decided over the next 24 hours and it will be announced as we arrive at the stadium tomorrow [Saturday].   

“Everybody trained (on Friday morning), all fit and well here. It’s nice and sunny. The conditions were good. Everybody trained well and looking forward to the game.”

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Switching to Tuilagi and his latest setback after he had just returned from an eleven-week layoff following a previous hamstring issue picked up against South Africa in November, Cockerill explained: “He had a slight hamstring strain at training yesterday [Thursday] so he has left camp and he is at home. It’s not too serious as far as we know and hopefully, he will be back soon.

“He is in pretty good spirits. Like I said, it is not a serious issue and look it’s unfortunately part of professional sport. Manu has still got a smile on his face and he is optimistic he will be back playing for club and country soon. 

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“On that front, it is pretty positive but obviously it’s a disappointment for him personally and disappointing for the team because he would have been an important member of the squad.”

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Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
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